Urbanol is a medication that is sometimes referred to as Onifi. It is an older anti-seizure medication that could be classified as a benzodiazepine. It is supposed to be less sedating than other drugs in this class because it has a unique chemical structure that differs slightly.
In fact, a report that appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Reports said that the medication could be better tolerated than most other anti-seizure medications. This is especially true for individuals that suffer from epilepsy.
Urbanol is oftentimes used in conjunction with other medications by adults and children under 2 years of age or older to help control seizures. Anyone looking to get this medication will need a prescription from a certified doctor and the medication comes available in 10 milligrams (mg) tablets, 20 mg tablets, and 2.5 mg tablets.
The dose is going to vary from individual to individual depending on the severity of their condition and their body makeup.
01. What is Urbanol used to treat?
Urbanol is usually prescribed to patients that suffer from a form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. This is a very serious form of epilepsy that causes patients to suffer from several different types of seizures along with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The drug is usually prescribed for this condition because it has the power to reduce the brain’s atypical electrical activity, which is the type of activity that usually leads to seizures. It should also be noted that Urbanol can also be prescribed to treat anxiety.
And, this is because it is a benzodiazepine. In fact, back in 2017, the Kennedy Krieger Institute started a clinical trial to test the medication on pediatric patients that were diagnosed with epilepsy and anxiety that impaired their daily lives.
02. How Is Urbanol Taken?
When Urbanol is prescribed to a patient the doctor will usually start with lower doses and work the patient up to higher doses. The dosage will likely increase every couple of weeks.
When you are prescribed this medication your doctor will probably provide you with instructions on how to take the medication, but there are some general recommendations and guidelines that should be followed when consuming Urbanol.
Urbanol is usually taken once or twice a day and it can be safely taken with or without food.
It will be important to take the medication at the same time every day. Try to get yourself on a schedule and stick with it. Individuals that have a hard time swallowing the pill can crush it up and put it in applesauce or other likewise foods. You should never take more than what is prescribed.
When doses are missed, you should try to take the missed dosage as soon as possible. However, if the time of your next dose is close to the time that you are going to take the missed dose, you should just go ahead and skip the missed dose and resume your regular routine.
Never stop taking the medication without speaking to your doctor first. There is also a liquid form of the medication available and with this version, there might be particular guidelines to follow. These guidelines might include shaking the bottle to mix the drug before use, using the adapter and syringe to measure the correct dosage, and storing the medication at appropriate temperatures.
03. What are the Side-Effects of Urbanol?
Just like every other medication on the market Urbanol is going to come along with some unwanted side effects. It is possible that some individuals might experience these side effects while others do not. Some individuals might even experience these side effects more severely than others.
The United States National Library of Medicine reports that the most common side effects associated with Urbanol are:
- Fatigue
- Impaired coordination
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Drooling
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Constipation, or coughing.
04. Life Threatening Side-Effects
It should also be noted that there have been some extremely severe life-threatening skin reactions associated with the use of the medication. These reactions would be Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.
These are two severe dermatological diseases that cause peeling of the skin and sores on the mucous membranes. These conditions are usually followed by flu-like symptoms like fever and body aches. Anyone that experiences these side effects while taking the medications should seek out immediate emergency medical attention.
05. DO NOT use Urbanol if…
Even if you are suffering from seizures and major anxiety there are some situations when you shouldn’t take Urbanol or related medications. Of course, you shouldn’t take it if you are allergic to it. Apart from that…
Stay completely away from Urbanol if you have:
- Liver or kidney disease
- Breathing or lung problems
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Drug or alcohol addictions
- If you are on opioid medication, you should stay away from Urbanol.
If you have any of these conditions, you will want to discuss them with your doctor if he or she prescribes Urbanol to you.
06. While Being Pregnant
In addition to this, women that are pregnant should avoid Urbanol. Urbanol can harm unborn babies and cause them to become dependent on the drug. When babies become addicted to the medication it can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies that are born dependent on such medications will require medical treatment for several weeks.
07. Urbanol While Being on Birth Control
Urbanol can also make birth control pills less effective so this is something that you might want to discuss with your doctor ahead of time. He or she will likely prescribe you a non-hormone method of birth control.
08. Understanding Urbanol Interactions with other substances
It is extremely important for people taking Urbanol to know that the medication can impair your thinking process as well as your reactions. If you are driving or partaking in any activities that require you to be alert, you will have to be extremely careful.
It is also immensely important to stay away from alcohol and other drugs as it could more the more severe side effects even worse. Even over the counter medications and vitamins or herbal products can interact with Urbanol. Always let your doctor know what supplement or medications you are taking ahead of time.
